Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26
Expressions of the Press.

Gov. Lee did his duty, and he will be
honored for it by all sober minded and
law-abiding citizens. Capital punishment
is terrible thing, but it is better than the
farce of repeated respites or communications
of sentence, both of which enable schem-
ing politicians to turn human tigers loose
upea the community.-Baltimore Herald.
Circumstantial evidence like this is better
| than any direct evidence that is attainable,
for deliberate and clandestine murders are
not generally seen by intimate aequaint-
ances of the murderer in the daylight and
under conditions making mistake impos-
sible. If capital punishment is ever right
or necessary, its application to Cluverius
| ought not to be regretted by anybody
Washington Post.
The Courts, and the Executive. did their
duty, and, we have no doubt, will be sus-
| tanned by the public sentiment of the State.
Gov. Lee did all he could to give the accused
every aid to prove he was innocent, and at
the same time, to hold the scales of Justice,
fairly and firmly, in the protection Of socie-
| ty by the enforcement of the laws of the
State. He acted wise, firm and consider
ate executive oflcer, up to the fall measure
of his duty.-Leesburg Washinotonian.
That Cluverius buried with him any
facts about the girls death is but sur
mise, and it is more than probable that if he
knew that her death was by suicide, he
would have revealed all the facts long be-
| fore he went to the gallows In spite Of
| the arguments from the pulpit and from
other sources, the majority of people will
remain convinced that Cluverius was MUIR
derer, and that death was the only fitting
| penalty for his crime. Herald.
! A great deal has been written and said
about Clnverius, and now that he has paid
| the penalty of his crime, without confessing
| it, some people think he was innocent. The
| testimony, tsgether with his own state
ments, prove cenclusively that Cluverius
| was the man, and he has now met the doom
he deserved. Gov. Lee did right in allow
| ing the la to take its course, and in refus-.
| ing a respite, and bis action in the matter
meets with general approval.-Southwest
| Examiner.
He made no confession of this most helm
Gus crime; but it is evident to our mind that
be was the guilty party. The chain Of evil
closely woven that there was no possible
doubt OF his guilt. His counsel spared ne
efforts in his behalf. He had fair and
impartial trial The Court of Appeals con-
sidered well bis case before they refused a
rehearing. The Governor in his respite
gave him ample time to prepare for the
| fate which awaited him All that could
have beer done was done for this man.
Warren Messenger.
Cluveiiris, the murderer of his cousin
! Lillian N Olson has at last paid the penalty
| for his crime and the sad story of two lives
10 no nf hn- hn
young IN and his victim and mystery
surround ug the terrible crime have made
| the story pfthe trial one of the NEST re-
markable ever heard held in the State of
| Virginia. But not all of the responsibility
and wealth of the friends of Cluverius could
shield him from his just deserts. Pity
| must supplant justice. He meets the
fate that he merits. Industrial World,
Fayettec6t5s, W. Va.
! 1t is irle, that it will not probably ever
be known on positive testimony who the
murderer was, but the circumstances be-
| fore, during and after the trial, all point to
Cluverins as the guilty wretch. And his
deprotment, which for studied prudence,
cool beha vior and determined will, stands
almost AL ne in criminal history, is no con-
| tradiction 70 the net work of evidence which
| finally webbed him in. He protested his
innocence in half hearted way, to the
! last, but to our mind, be only succeeded
we'll in carrying out studied and acted
part.-Htste Republican.
We cannot refrain frem speaking word
of CONNIE udation Of Governor Lees action
| in the case of the murderer Cluverius.
The c sure upon him to pardon or re-
prieve tbs man was very great, but in re-
fusing /, fnrther interfere with the execu-
ton of tbs law Governor Lee showed that
| he was Il man of decision, and of such firm
ness of character as not to be swayed by the
sickly aantimentality, which does so much
to defeat The ends of justice and which we
fear is Oh The increase in our country. We
say all h'saor to Governor Lee In this mat
ter.-Spi. it ofMe Valley.
The deliberate planning, the calculations
made to cover up all his tracks, rendered
easy because Of her entire confidence in and
devotion u him, and the shrewdness ex-
hibitsd, mark him at once as a man of no
ordinary alert, and a cold blooded, diabol-
ical murderer That he did not confess is
natural; that be did the deed barely admits
of doubt; but guilty or innocent of the
immediate murder, no one can plead that he
was not the cause of her death, and that
which was worse.
| x
Itwould have been wrong in the Governor
to set asids a verdict sustained by the Su-
preme Court of the State, unless upon new
| evidence, when in fact every later develop
ment seefn ed to lessen the possibility of his
innocence : Warenton Inder.
After tie close of the testimony in the
case Of Thomas j. Cluverius we were con-
| WINGED Of his guilt. No man had ADLER
counsel, nor were ever greater efforts made
to break The chain of circumstantial evil
dence that led directly to his guilt. We
were not surprised at his refusal to confess
the crime. A man who had the nerve to
deliberately commit the deed he committed
found 10 difficulty, we opine, in maintain
ing his nerve to the last
Gov. Lee did what he conscientieusIy
believed to be his solemn duty in this dread
full matter, after having taken every step
to inform himself respecting the case. His
action, though painful to him no doubt,
will, we firmly believe, receive the sanction
of Him who commanded his prophets of
old to adhere ''to the law and to the testi-
mony. Fredericksburg Star.
1t is not the province of the Governor to
try cases to ascertain the guilt of the party;
that dnty is laid on the courts. That Gu
verius had fair trial is not denied That
any new evidence has been discovered is
not claimed. That any mitigating Cir
cumstancss existed which were not con-
sidered by the judge and jury, does not ap-
pear
1t will be an evil day for us when the re-
spect and obedience to the decisions of our
courts, which have always been accorded
to them, is done away with. Then mob
law will take the place of the courts and
violence prevail. Whatever may be cur
opinions as to the guilt or innocence of a
criminal, it is. the part of wisdom. and the
part of safety to acquiesce in the findings of
the court and thus maintain the majesty Of
the law-Bedford Democrat.
A great deal of morbid sensiblity was
displayed by people scattered through the
State, and the attempt to manufacture
public opinion was persistent; but we ale
convinced that the sentimental view of the
case had no existence in the minds of the
Of fb1,